Opinion | Bargaining to Save Our Jobs from Artificial Intelligence

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/unions-save-jobs-ai

Publish Date: 2026-05-07 07:35:00

Source Domain: www.commondreams.org

Human Agency Over AI: The impact of AI is not predetermined or inevitable; it heavily depends on human decisions regarding its development and deployment.
Specific Contextual Implementation: AI systems and agents differ in application across various sectors, allowing workers in each field to affect implementation and usage.
Workers’ Involvement: Empowering workers to negotiate with employers about AI’s role in their jobs can prevent job devalue and instead enhance job quality and productivity.
Preventive Bargaining vs. Damage Control: Shifting from negotiating just after job losses (“effects bargaining”) to negotiating how AI can improve, rather than degrade, jobs is crucial for a proactive approach.
Defeating Doomsday Scenarios: Contrary to fatalistic views, human intervention can determine whether AI enhances or harms jobs; avoiding passive acceptance of AI-driven job losses is important.
Success of Labor Unions in AI Regulation: Labor unions, like the Writers Guild in Hollywood, have shown success in negotiating protections against AI-impacted job devalue by bargaining effectively with employers.
Broad Labor Movement Commitment: The labor movement has recognized AI’s potential effect on work and is proactively setting up negotiations to dictate AI’s role in shaping future work.
Future Stakes: Ensuring AI implementation does not harm jobs involves significant power to bargain over these changes; the future of work depends on proactive worker involvement.